Collapsible container



Nov. 4, 1941. F. D. JONAS ETAL 2,261,726

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS FRANK D. Jonas EUGENEGARELT BY MICHAEL BRAcuTT Nov. 4, 1941. F. D. JONAS EIAL COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 MICHAEL BEHCUTT Nov. 4, 1941. F. D. JONAS ETAL COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 28, 1938 6 heets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS FRANK 0. JONAS EUG ENEG- ARELT BY MICHEL BRAOUTT wromvs Nov. 4, 1941. F. D. JONAS El'AL 2,261,726

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS FRANK a. J'ONAS EUGENE $4251.7-

- BY M/cHflEL. BRACUTT Nov. 4, 1941. F. D. JONAS El'AL COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 T M TIM mi W 0 $3 JM 2 EE KNH NEH mm FEM.

Nov. 4, 1941. F. D. JONAS EI'AL COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Filed Sept. 28, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 MICHAEL BRHCUTT Maw Patented Nov. 4, 1941 2,261,726 I "COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Frank D. Jonas, East Williston, and Eugene G. Arelt, Richmond Hill, N. .Y., and Michael Bracutt, East Orange, N. 1., assignors to Oxford Filing Supply (30., a partnership comprising Richard A. Jonas, Richard A. Jonas, Jr., Robert.

P. Jonas, Frank D. Jonas, and Edward F. Jonas,

Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application September 28,1938, se ial No. 232,030

12 Claims.

of a suitable fibrous material and now commonly employed in connection with a shell of similar material to provide in combination therewith a filing or storage cabinet. v

An important object of this invention is to provide a practical and commercial form of collapsible container of this type which when ready for use may be shipped in a relatively flat condition and quickly and easily set up at'the place of use.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a collapsible container of this type a construction which when set up is exceedingly strong and rugged, and therefore adapted to considerable use and even abuse without destroying the utility thereof. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide a container of this type which is adapted to rapid production manufacture at a minimum of cost as compared to the completeness, finish and strength thereof.

Many additional but more detailed objects are successfully secured by means of the forms of the invention herein disclosed by way of illustration.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative location of parts, all as will be described in full detail.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofone form of container constructed to form a drawer and embodying the principles of the invention herein disclosed;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view of the container;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the drawer of Figure 1 is constructed;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the upper end of the blank with the rear end wall folded up into position and the flaps folded partially around to full position;

Fig. '7 is a similar view of the front end turned around 180 degrees with the front end wall and flaps completely folded in place and showing the metal facing panel which is locked thereon to form a metal front for the container;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale through one of the side walls looking towards the rear wall;

Fi 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. .8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the linell0ofFig.8; v

Fig. 11 is a horizontal, cross-sectional viewtaken through the front wall of the container just above the head;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l2|2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the complete container folded fiat ready for shipment;

' Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 partially set up;

Fig. 15 is another view of the same container 1 more completely set up;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a modified form of container partially set up;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional viewtaken on the line l'l-l'l of Fig. 16; a

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l8l8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a still further modifiedform of container partially set up;

Fig. 20 isa plan view of the front end of the 2 blank for the container of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a container showing a still further modification with thecontainer illustrated as fully set up; and

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2222 of Fig. 21. V.

In the specific embodiments-herein. disclosed the container of this inveniton is adapted to be used as the drawer of a filing cabinet. The container is to be made of a suitable flexible material such as cardboard, fibre board, corrugated board and the like. As illustrated it is shown as made up of corrugated board. which is well known in this art for this purpose.

Since containers of this type when fully set up are large and bulky and hence relatively expensive to ship, it is highly desirable that they be made, if practicable, so that they may be shipped in a substantially fiat condition and set up at the place of use. However, these desirable objects are not completely attained unless the container is easily set up at the place of use by' persons unfamiliar with them and when set up is adequately strong and rugged to withstand the various stresses and strains to which it is subjected in use and particularly when loaded.

The first form of structure illustrated is made up from a blank of fibrous material which is provided with a series of score lines which have been illustrated for example in Fig. 5 by pairs of light parallel lines. The main blank comprises by reason of the score lines, a central panel I which forms the bottommost wall of the container. Integral therewith and capable of hinging'movement along the side edges by reason of the score lines are the panels 2 and 4. In a similar way there are hingedly connected to the panels 2 and 4 the terminal panels 3 and respectively. Two similar support blanks are providedone comprising the panels 5 and I and the other the panels 8 and 5 which are hingedly connected as before. The panels 5 and 8 partially overlie the panels 3 and 5 respectively and are permanently secured thereto by means of rivets or clips as indicated at C. It will be seen that the free edges of the panels 5 and 8 are a short distance outside of the score lines betwen the panels 2 and 3, and 4 and 5 for a purpose which will become apparent later. Hingedly connected to the ends of the bottom panel I is the rear panel In and the front .panel I 5, each of which has a pair of apertures therein as indicated at H. Hingedly connected to the sides of the panel III are the panels H and I3 to which in turn are hingedly connected the terminal panels I 2 and M respectively. In a similar way the panels 16 and I8 are hingedly connected to the sides of panel [5 and to the terminal panels l1 and Il! respectively. In review it will be seen that panels I, 2, 3, 4, 5,10,, l2, l3, I4, l5, l6, l1, l8 and I9 areal] united into an integral blank and are simply formed by score lines so that the various panels may be folded therealong, that is they have hinge connection thereat. It is to be noted that, as is clear from Fig. 5, the pairs of side panels for the rear and front panels I! and I5 are not connected to the adjacent ends of the pairs of side panels for the bottomwall. AsisclearfromFlgfitherear panel In when bent up into position extends upwardly at right angles to the bottom panel I. The panels l2 and I4 are folded around so as to liein back of the panels H and "respectively, which in turn are folded around still further so that the panels l2 and I4 lie against the rear face of the panel [0, as is clear from Fig. 6. This results in a rear wall panel of triple thickness and the flaps are held permanently in place by means of the rivets of clips 0 (see Fig. 1) which extend all the way through them. The-top edge of the triple thickness rear wall panel is finished ofl and protected by means of a rectangular metal panel 24 which fits down over the top edge and is secured thereto by the clips or rivets C. Of

bers permanently secured in place by means ofclips or rivets as before, if desired, but this is not necessary in view of the fact that the complete wall is encased in a metal panel or cover plate 2|. This cover plate is a sheet of metal or other suitable material having top and side flanges folded over and around the edges of the front wall and forced down to form a tight lit and enclose the edges thereof. The bottom flange is folded inwardly to form'a lip to give 'a finished off appearance. Before the wall is thus made up a pair of plates 20 just like the rear wall plates are mounted between the wall panels just like they were atthe rear wall, and as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, so that their ears 2ll project through the holes H in the panel I5. A suitable handle or bail 23 is secured to the front wall by means of a strap 22, which has legs which extend through the front wall and a reinforcing plate 26 (see Fig. 4) and are bentover as shown.

The front and rear walls are pivotally interconnected by a pair of parallel strips or rods 25,

the ends of which havelhooks thereon which interconnect the aligned' pairs of plates 20, as is more clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 15. The rods 25 are set in place with their hinged ends 25' in the position shown in the dash-dot line in Fig. 10 and then are bent to the full line position to secure them in place. These rods pivotally interconnect the front and rear wall so that they have their hinged movement with respect to the bottom wall together. In shipping the container the w front wall is folded back onto the bottom wall causing the rear wall to fold out to the rear, as is clearly shown in Fig. 13 and the side wall panels are then folded over so as to overlie the front wall, as is clear from this figure.

In order to set the container up the front and rear walls are swung up to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 10 when the bottom wall I is in its normal positon. The side walls are then folded around the struts or rods 25, as is clear from Fig.

' 15. The panels 2 and 4 are folded up at right course, other equivalents of this finish edge may beused.

Before these panels are folded up in this man I ner a pair of metal plates 25 are placed between them, as is clearly illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 so that-the small right angled ears 2|] on the plates project through the holes H in the rear panel I. These plates are firmly held in place by the squeezing action of the rear wall panels when riveted or clipped together.

The front wall panel which likewise when fully assembled is of triple wall thickness is the same as the rear wall panel. In other words, the panel sections I! and I! are folded towards the front of the container until they overlie the adjacent panels 16 and I8 respectively and then they as a unit are folded around against the front face of the front wall panel 15, as is clearly shown in Fig. 7. Thus it will now be seen that the vertical abutting joint between the pairs of double thickness panels on both the front wall and the rear wall are on the outer faces thereof, leaving the angles to the bottom and then the panels 3 and i, and 5 and 8 are folded down parallel thereto so as to enclose the rod 25. The terminal panels 1 and 9 then lie on the bottom wall and their terminal edges form an abutting relationship as will be apparent. By properly proportioning the parts the panels 1 and 5 will form a tight'flt in place and serve to firmly lock the container in assembled condition. It will'be seen particularly from Figs. 8 and 9 that with this construction the rods 25 rest upon the top edge of the panels 6 and 8 throughout their length so that when any vertical loads are applied to the drawer these loads will be firmly supported by the panels 6 and 8 and transmit the loads downwardly to the bottom wall, which it will be noted is of double thickness. This provides a very important feature of this invention in that it greatly strengthens the container and tends to prevent tearing of the material thereof at the corners in the region of the connection between the bottom panel I and the connected panels 2 and 4. It may be noted as a point of interest that the front and rear walls and rods 25 do not form an exact rectangle because the point of pivotal connection of the ends of the rods is offset from the plane of the hinging action of the front and rear walls,

. because as is obvious, it would be difllcult to provide a simple inexpensive construction in which these pivot points were located in these planes. However, the divergence is so slight as not in any way to interfere with the operation and utility of the container.

In the construction shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18. the blank diiIers from the previous blank in that it is made of a single piece of material. It comprises the bottom panel I, the side panels 2*, I, l, 4', 5 and 9, all hingedly connected thereto and to each otherand defined by scor lines as before. The rear panel II is similarly connected to the panel 1', and is provided with panels 'of the front and rear walls and are pivotally interconnected by the rods 25. The next and only'diflerence from the construction of Fig.

side panels not completely shown in these figures but exactly the-same as the side panels H to ll inclusive of Fig. 5. Asshown in Fig. 17. the

16 is that the ears 3' and have been omitted because in constructing the containers in smaller sizes it has been found that they arejsumciently strong to not require supports for the rods 25,

although supports of either of the previous types can beiused if desired.

It is hardly necessaryto point out that 'in'the last two constructions described the bottom walls are of double thickness just as they are in the first construction. However, the last two canstru'ctions have the side walls of double thickmass as distinguished from the first construction where they are of triple thickness. Inall cases,

of course, the rear and front walls are of triple thickness, and'in the case of the metalv front there is the additional thickness of the-metal was in the previous construction, they are folded around so as to be on the rear face, oriin other.

words are folded exactly as are the panels for the rear wall and as illustrated in Fig. 6. In this case the front wall which is now of triple thickness, as is apparent, has its top edge trimmed and reinforced by a rectangular channel 24 of suitable material such as the rear channel 24 and secured in place by clips orrivets. The panels of the front wall are likewise secured in 7 place by clips or rivets just like in the rear wall.

The plates 20 are mounted between the panels of a the front wall as before, and as is clear from Fig.

, 16. Inthis case the projecting metal cover plate is eliminated and it is for this reason that the front wall panels arefolded oppositely to the previous arrangement so that the abutting joint wlil not be visible from the front. In this case the handle or ball 23, the strip 22 and the plate 26 are the same as before, but in addition there is used on the front a plate 21 similar tothe plate 21 which is d'esirablein this case to give an adequate bearing surface since the metal cover plate has been omitted.

In view of the fact that there are no separate panel. These constructions provide very rugged containers. It isto be noted however that the principles of this invention can be employed in other constructions where variations of these features will occur,'as for example the front. and

rear walls need be only of double thickness if desired. Indeed when a metal cover plate is used for the front wall, that wall can be of single thickness board and the pivotal connecting lugs can be integral with the flanges of the cover plate.

The construction of Figs. 21-and 22 would employ a blank comprising a bottom panel and-rear and front wall panels like those previously described. However, the side 'wall construction differs in that the-bottom panel is only provided with integral side panels corresponding to the panels 2 and 4 of Fig. 16. There would be no panels corresponding tothe remainder thereof. Thus, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22 the bottom panel if is provided with the side panels 2'. Separate panels 2" are provided which are connect ed to the panels 2' by means of a metal channel 5 member 22. A relatively wide flange portion 3| clipped on panels corresponding to the panels 6 and I and l and 8 of the previous construction, the panels 3 and li are provided with integral ears 3 and 5 respectively which are folded over blank is just thesame as the blank of Fig. 16

with two exceptions. In this case, as illustrated in Fig. 20, the end edge of the panels ill and I5" are provided with terminal flaps lo and l5 respectively which are integral therewith and defined by score lines, which flaps are folded over the top edges of the front and rear walls' after the panel sections have been folded up as before, and are clipped or riveted in place to give a finished reinforced edge, as will be apparent from Fig. 19. In this case the front rear wall panel sections, as will be apparent, are folded as they were in the previous construction and the drawer pull construction is the same as before. Likewise the plates 20 are provided between the overlies the outer face of each of the panels 2 and is secured thereto by means of rivets or clips o'r struck-out ears, as indicated at C. Thepanels 2" are connected thereto by having their upper edges lie in and clamped between the side walls of the integral smaller channel portion 32. Thus each side wall comprises apanel 2' and 2" connected together by the channel member 30, so that the panels 2" can have relative hinging movement with respect to the panels 2' along the edge or line E. Thus to assemble-the structure the front and rear panels aremoved up tovertical position, being interconnected as before by the rods 25, and during this motion the panels 2" are held out so that they go over the rods 25 and when released'they, snap back toaposition shown in Fig. 22, enclosing the rods 25. The top edges of the panels 2' form a support throughout the length of the. rods 25 in a manner similar to the arrangement of Fig. 8. The natural I resiliency of the material of the panels 2" is such that if they are not forced outwardly too much they naturally snap back into the position shown in Fig. 2 when they are released after passing over the rods 25. In this construction the side walls are of double thickness while the bottom wall I is of single thickness. It'is deemed not necessary to have terminal panels on the bottom edges of the panels 2". corresponding to the terminal panels 1 andli for example of Fig. 6 to form a double thickness bottom for the container, although they can be used if desired. Ofcourse,

in this construction a complete metal cover plate can be used for the front wall as before, or a channel like the channel 24* of Fig. 16 can be used, or an integral fiap like the fiap Iii of Fig, 20. Indeed, various combinations of the features herein disclosed may be built up in an apparent manner by one skilled in the art in view I -of this disclosure.

illustratedinFigQtheplatesaremoreorless embedded in the plies of the end walls, more or less forming pockets which prevent any movement of the plates, This forms a strong, rugged construction. Againforemphasisitisnotedthatthesupporting membersfortberodsm'strutsfisuch astheplies I andtheearsfiand i fit clmely up under the rods or strutsso as toprevent any tendency of relative movement between the end walls and the side walls, and thus minimizing any tendency of-the material of the container to shear at the corners,

We do not, therefore, desire to be strictly limitedtothedisclosureasgivenforprn'posesof illustration, but rather to the scope of the claims granted us.

WhatweseektosecurebyUnitedStatesIetters Patent is: a

1. In a. container of the type described a sheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, plates mounted between the plies of an oppositepairofsidewalls, andapairofmembers pivotally connected to said plates in pairs and lying between the plies of the other opposite pair of side walls 2. In a container of the type described a sheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, plates mounted between the plies of an opposite pair of side walls, and a pair of memberspivotally connectedtosaid'rflatesinpairs and lying between the plies of the other opposite pair of side walls, said plates having lugs projecting through the associated walls in which the said members are pivotally mormted.

3. Inacontainer oftbetypedescribedasheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, platw mormted between the plies of an opposite pair of side walls, a pair of members pivotally connected to said plates in pairs and side walls, and a reinforcing metal member clamped on at least one' of said first pair of side walls to clamp the plies thereof tightly together and hold said plates against movement, said metal member comprising a complete cover plate for the outer face of the wall.

5. In a container of the type described a sheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, plates mounted between the' plies of an opposite pair of side walls, a pair of members pivotally connected to said plates in pairs and lying between the plies of the other opposite pair lying between the plies of the other opposite pair of side walls, and a reinforcing metal member clamped on at least one of said first pair of side walls to clamp the pliesthereof tightly together and hold said plates against movement.

4. Ina container of thetype dwcrlbed asheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, plates mounted between the plies of an oppositepair ofsidewalls, a pair ofmemberspivotally connectedtosaidplatesinpairsandlying between the plies of the other opposite pair of 76 of the end walls together to of sidewalls, a reinforcing metal member clamped on at least one of said first pair of side walls to clamp the plies thereof tightly together and hold said plates against movement, and a handle memclamped to said wall to further hold the plies thereof tigh y together.

6. In a container of the type described a sheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, plates mounted between the plies of an opposite pair of side walls, a pair of members pivotally connected to said plates in pairs and lying between the plies of the other opposite pair of side walls, and members lying between'the plies of said last pair of opposite side walls closely contiguous to said members to hold them against movement within the plies of the encompassing side walls.

7. In a container of the type described a sheet of fibrous material folded to form bottom and side walls, the side walls being formed of at least two plies, plates mounted between the plies of an oppositepair of side walls, a pair of members 'pivotally connected to said plates in pairs and lying between the plies.of the other opposite pair of side walls, anda fibrous member lying between theplies ofsaidlastpairofsidewallsandclose to the under side of said members.

8. A collapsible container of fibrous material having a double ply bottom, double ply side walls and multi-ply end walls formed from a single blank of fibrous material, scored along fold lines, plate members mormted between the plies of the end walls and longitudinally extending link members pivotally interconnecting said plies in pairs, said link members lying between the plies of the side walls, and means for tightly clamping the piles of the end walls together to firmly grip said plates. s

9. A collapsible container of fibrous material having a double ply bottom, double ply side walls and multi-ply end walls formed from a single blank of fibrous material, scored along fold lines, plate members mormted between the plies of the end walls andlongitudinally extending link members pivotally interconnecting said plies in said link members lying between the plies of the side walls, means for tigh ly clamping the plies firmly grip said plates.

10. A container of fibrous material as described comprising a bottom wall, multi-ply end walls, multi-ply side walls, all of said walls being integral with the exception of the inner plies of the side walls, plates clamped between plies of the end walls, longitudinally extending link members pivotally interconnecting said plates in pairs,

, and metal members connected to the top edges of each of the plies of said side walls and forming therewith a passage in which said link members lie.

11. A container of fibrous material is described comprising a bottom wall, multi-ply end walls, multi-ply side walls, all of said walls being integral with the exception of the inner plies of the side walls, plates clamped between plies of the end walls, longitudinally extending link members pivotally interconnecting said plates in pairs, and metal members connected to the top edges of each of the plies of said side walls and forming therewith a passage in which said link members lie, the plies of said side walls being capable of relative movement along the edge of connection so that the container may be set up and collapsed.

12. In a container of the type described a opposite pair of side walls, and terminal panels I on said side walls lying on the inner face of said bottom wall tightly fitting between said side walls 10 and abutting along a line.

EUGENE G. ARELT. MICHAEL BRACUTT. FRANK D. JONAS. 

